JNU holds seminar on life, legacy of
Masud Choudhary
Javed Rana recalls Dr Choudhary's
contribution in creation of a just, inclusive society
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY
21: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal
Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today stated that the vision of Dr Masud Ahmed Choudhary
transcended narrow identities and parochial politics, advocating for creation
of a just and inclusive society.
He was speaking
during a seminar titled "Inclusive Approach to the Tribal Identity of
Jammu and Kashmir - A Tribute Honouring the Life and Legacy of Dr Masud Ahmed
Choudhary", organised by the Centre of Excellence for Tribal Studies,
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.
Rana, who was special guest on the occasion,
said that Dr Choudhary was an embodiment of a fight against the narrow politics
of caste and tribe. "He strived all his life to build an inclusive society
free from caste, class, ethnic and religious discrimination based on equality
and fraternity. He was an outstanding leader and a staunch crusader for the
rights of down-trodden and backward sections of the society", maintained
the Minister.
The Minister, while
paying tributes to the legend, remembered Dr. Choudhary as a guiding force and
a visionary who worked with conviction and dedication all his life for the
upliftment of the marginalized. "He fought for his people and his
community to make their dream of living with dignity, a reality. We are
indebted to his service for shaping our understanding of the past, present and
future," he said while expressing gratitude to the JNU for hosting the
seminar.
Calling him an icon
of social reform and education, Rana said that it would be a befitting tribute
to carry forward the legacy of a personality who played a pivotal role in
founding institutions like Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) and
Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT) that are positively impacting thousands of
lives.
Highlighting the
contributions of Masud Choudhary, Rana said that he founded the GDCT and
published the magazine 'Awaz e Gujjar' to raise social and educational
awareness. "GDCT serves as a museum and archive of the Gujjar and Bakarwal
community in Jammu and Kashmir. At a time of vehement modernisation of life and
culture of traditional tribes, the trust is one of the rare private and community-led
initiatives to preserve our shared and collective heritage," he said.
Rana impressed upon
the audience that in contemporary times, when people are increasingly divided
based on their identity, caste, region, ethnicity, it becomes incumbent upon us
to collectively fight the evils and wrongs ailing our society.
Rana said that the
philosophy and life of Dr Choudhary is a profile of courage and conviction,
whose work and commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the
Gujjar and Bakarwal tribes, spanned over five decades and extended into
multiple fields.
During the seminar,
speakers including Member of Parliament, Ghulam Ali Khatana besides the
Professors, paid rich tributes to Dr Choudhary and described him as a scholar
par excellence, able administrator having high literary ability who created a
sense of self respect, importance and confidence in the weaker sections of the
society.